Last week’s ‘Made in Glasgow’ event at the London Festival of Architecture was a significant milestone in Page\Park’s expansion into the UK’s capital. Rather than signalling a departure from our established identity and approach to delivering projects, this move represents a bold step forward to engage more directly with the national architecture conversation. Our presence in London is an opportunity to test ideas, develop new collaborations, and actively participate in the dialogue shaping the future of our built environment.

The evening started with an opening keynote by John Brown, Employee Elected Director at Page\Park that explored Glasgow’s rich design legacy and its historic connections with London, illustrating how a research-led approach can address contemporary urban challenges. The core themes that define our practice, specifically retrofit, heritage, housing, sustainability, and energy transition are increasingly central to national discussions about civic value and how we build a feeling of belonging to the places we live in.

What followed was a dynamic panel discussion chaired by Laura Mark, Architecture Critic, Researcher and Filmmaker featuring creative industry leaders who all spent formative parts of their careers studying or working in Glasgow, bridging the gap between regional roots and national perspectives.

Insights from Katie Burrell, Director of Design, Estate and Capital Programmes at the V&A, Lucy Brown, CEO of The Hugo Burge Foundation, Lara Kinneir, Head of Creative Innovation Practice at Policy Lab UK, and writer and architecture critic Rory Olcayto illuminated how a shared Glasgow heritage enriches the wider cultural landscape.

Each panellist brought a different perspective to how their time in the city shaped their creative and professional outlook, yet a profound common thread emerged: the idea that feeling deeply connected to a place can leave a lifetime impact on your work and on you as a person. They reflected that while the urban and architectural character of Glasgow is undoubtedly important, it is ultimately the people and the spirit of collaboration within that landscape that defines its enduring influence.

Our participation in the London Festival of Architecture as hosts of the ‘Made in Glasgow’ event reflects our ambition to contribute not just through projects, but through dialogue and exchange. If Glasgow established the values of the practice and Leeds expanded its reach, London represents an opportunity to confidently look outwards and determine where we go next.